Winding down for Winter: Our handy guide to preparing your garden
Getting your outdoor space winter-ready can feel a bit daunting, especially if your garden is on the larger side. Don’t worry – help is at hand and you can find everything you need to know below.
Protect your plants
It’s all too easy to forget your favourite plants at winter time – so if you have ones that are cold-sensitive, don’t leave it too late to protect them. A generous layer of mulch will save their roots from the freezing temperatures and for more vulnerable or younger plants, it’s good idea to use a cloche or cold frame.
Protect your furniture
If your garden furniture is delicate or non-waterproof, you’ll need to take special measures to preserve it with waterproof covers or even better, storing it safely. Because of their weatherproof durability, a Keter Darwin Shed or Nova Storage Box is ideal for keeping your precious items safe.
Alternatively, you can save yourself the extra work by choosing one of our weatherproof outdoor furniture sets. We’ve created them to be as elegant as they are durable.
Help British birds get ready for winter
We mentioned earlier that bird feeders can help keep that summer feeling alive for a little bit longer, but they also serve a much more important purpose. Not all birds migrate to warmer climes and winter can be a tough time for our feathered friends because food sources are becoming scarce.
If you have cats, make sure you choose a feeder they can’t reach. We recommend offering your birds a high-energy feed mix, including foods like sunflower seeds. Suet balls are also a good calorific choice. Remember to keep your feeding station stocked throughout winter – and even though we’re moving into damper months, it’s good to have a water source. Both feeding stations and bird baths will need to be cleaned regularly.
Planting for Spring
Preparing your garden for winter isn’t all hard work. This is the time to start planning your flowers for spring. You can plant bulbs – daffodils, tulips and hyacinths in the autumn, ready to bloom as soon as the weather warms up.
Make sure you read the instructions on the back of your bulbs and seeds to make sure you’re safe to plant at this time of year. If not, you can store them and any other planting equipment in one of our Cortina Alto Storage Cabinets. Carefully box up the seeds in a sealed container and they’ll be quite safe in our weatherproof cabinet.
We love winter interest plants
A winter interest plant is an evergreen plant to keep your garden looking lively and beautiful during the colder months. Evergreen plants keep their leaves throughout the year and lots of them have vibrantly coloured or textured leaves, even in winter – and many yield gorgeous berries in all kinds of colours. We like the oh-so-purple Beauty Berry Tree variety. Other options include winter-flowering shrubs like witch hazel or winter jasmine.
Don’t forget to prune, prune, prune
Most perennials like to be cut back in the autumn. This helps to prevent disease and rot over the winter months. Plus, it makes your garden look a lot tidier and reduces stress because things feel a bit easier to manage.
It’s important to make sure you know what plants you’re working with and the best practices for each plant – some actually benefit from being left alone over the winter. There are a few good plant identifying apps available and these make the life of a gardener much easier. All you need to do is snap a picture of your plant and the app will identify and tell you how to care for it.
Keep your tools clean and safe
So many people neglect their outdoor tools during winter preparations. Such a shame because it means they need to be replaced every year. Instead, give them a good clean and a wipe down with protective oil. Then stow them safely away in one of our durable Darwin sheds or storage boxes.
Clearing fallen leaves
Autumn leaves are beautiful and they’re fun for kids and dogs to romp through. The downside is they can suffocate your lawn and invite pests to take up residence. Ideally, you should rake them away all through autumn – the reward for your hard work is a nutrient-rich compost for your garden. All you need is a compact composter that you can pop the leaves into, along with a little patience.
Look after the fishes in your pond
If you have a pond, it’s super important that you get it winter-ready. Start by removing any fallen leaves and debris – this is to stop any vegetation from rotting and contaminating the water. We think it’s a great idea to install a pond heater or air pump to keep the water from freezing over completely. This will give you peace of mind that any aquatic plants, creatures or overwintering fish are safe and oxygenated
